Phenomenology
In an academic building where interaction among different disciplines is scarce and rarely encouraged, String Phenomenology represents the interactions between people passing through the Great Hall in the College of Fine Arts. Through visual feedback from audio input, it becomes evident of the issues surrounding the disconnect between passerbys.
Material Studies
After a series of in depth material studies, our team chose a variation of standard woven string as a canvas for our project. String has the ability to shape and alter a projected image depending on the configuration. Movement is represented well because of the linear nature of string and direction can be manipulated by which way strings are strung. String also provides a unique texture that can create more depth within a projection. We chose to use a free hanging configuration of strings to be the canvas for our projections. A free hanging arrangement allows for movement of the material, a property that would alter the projection even more. We created depth by making a dense volume of the free hanging string while leaving an ouccpiable space within. The sheer density of the string immerses the person and defines a completely new space within the Great Hall. In this new space they can create their own experience through audio input by conversing with another user.
The Site
We identified and surveyed various sites on the Carnegie Mellon campus and chose the Great Hall in the College of Fine Arts as the site for our installation. The intersection outside the Dean's office has a consistent flow of traffic that would allow for constant activation of the installation and a diverse audience.
As we surveyed the students in the College of Fine Arts, we discovered a problem amongst the different disciplines. Even though students are under the same roof, there is very little encouragement for interaction between disciplines. Students who have friends in different disciplines in CFA rarely interact with them in the building itself, and instead do so outside of the actual building. Through our installation we hope to provide awareness of the lack of interaction in an academic building and identify it as a problem.
The Core
The core volume within the configuration of string shows visual feedback from conversations that are being made within the space. Projection emits from a housing located underneath the core volume. The core peaks interest and curiousity among passerbys outside of the space, and serves as a interactive component to those inside the space.
Conversations are encouraged as users interact with the core. There is no hint as to how to interact with the core, so it is up to the user to discover and invite more users to interact.
Spatial Studies
In defining the space within the volume of string, we considered all different dynamics the human body can conform to, as well as the minimal and maximum space necessary for a human body to travel through a space.
Every moment related to a different body position, body size, and direction of motion. The flow of traffic through the Great Hall is redirected, but more importantly slowed down so people are given a chance to experience an interactive space.
Voice Interaction
Audio input is taken in and translated into an animation that is projected onto the core strings. Increased interaction results in more dynamic feedback of the projection. The effect is a rain of pixels that scatter along the strings from the core, visible to those inside and outside the space. People are drawn to the effect and encouraged to make it react to their voices.
The Construction Process
The complete process of putting up the installation took 14 days. Over 9,000 feet of string was soaked in hot water, strung taut between the football posts at Gesling Stadium to dry, then hung on 1/8" thick MDF strips. Each strip was fashioned with 9 hooks with 26 strings knotted through their respective holes. Strips were hung by the cup hooks onto an existing rig in the center of the Great Hall of CFA. Hooks were hung onto inverted binder clips which were reinforced with silicone adhesive. A box was constructed and calibrated to house the projector and wiring below the core of the installation.
The Experience
